Day: May 2, 2026

Inverness to Broadford, Skye

Today we drove across the Scottish highlands from the east coast to the west coast. Once we left the Inverness area we started to see people with cameras stopped by the side of the road obviously waiting for something. After a bit of Googling we figured out that it was the Highland Historic Commercial Vehicle Run 2026.

One of the first old trucks that we saw from the event.
We followed these old tractors for a lot of the drive.

From the Scottish mainland we took the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye where we are tonight. When we first arrived at Juniper Cottages, where we are staying, it was too early to check in. We had about three hours before check in time so we stopped at a nearby coffee shop.

The owners told us that one of their customers made this change to the coffee menu. We all had a good laugh about it.

Then we drove over a one lane road through the center of the island. When we reached the water on the other side we got out and explored a bit.

We saw a lot of sheep and lambs
You can see Duke and Roger in the distance. They are the specks at the water’s edge.

For dinner we ate at a seafood restaurant, Claymore. It’s right across the main road from where we are staying.

I had scallops on haggis
Everyone else had sea bream.
For desert Duke and I shared sticky coffee pudding with ice cream
We each have our own cottage at House of Juniper.

To read about our second day on Skye click here.

Inverness day 2

Friday morning we drove a few miles outside of Inverness to the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Center.

What happened at Culloden is well described on the map they gave us at the visitor center:

“Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobites.”

I thought the visitor center was excellent. The battle was described from the perspectives of the government and the perspective of the Jacobites. The visitor center had a fascinating presentation about how the soldiers fought and were armed.
The blue flags showed where the Jacobite clans and soldiers were and the red flags showed where the government troops were.

From Culloden we went to a grocery store and bought food for lunch. Then we drove up the Ness River to Loch Ness and had a picnic.

Picnicking at Lochend Beach

When we got back to our hotel we played cards, then walked to Urquharts Restaurant for dinner.

Gayle and I each had steak pie and Duke and Roger each had seafood pie.
For desert we had banana pavlova.
Inverness Castle as we walking back to our hotel.

To read tomorrow’s blog post click here.